Video: OK! gets an acting lesson with Benicio del Toro

But it wasn’t a fantastical dream, and we were soon in the Spanish city learning lines for a heist scene with the man himself. Benicio, 43, first achieved recognition with The Usual Suspects, and the Puerto Rican star then appeared in Snatch, Traffic, Sin City, Che and The Wolfman. He’s now been snapped up by Magnum to promote their new Magnum Gold?! ice creams and we were invited along to sample the delicious treat… as well as try the new ice-cream. On the morning of our acting debut we arrived at the El Principal restaurant and taken to one side to run through our lines with the scriptwriters, shown how to hit the crosses taped to the floor so that we’re in the camera’s sight and whisked through the make-up chair.

Benicio del Toro gives OK!'s Marcia Moody an acting lesson

There’s just enough time to pull on a bank robber-inspired black hoodie before we’re shown into the ‘vault’ to meet Benicio, who’s charming, towering over us at six foot two inches, and sips a morning coffee as he gives us a reassuring smile. Two minutes later, after a whirlwind of bad acting (us), masterful ad-libbing (him) and relief (both of us, probably) we pull up a couple of chairs in the corner away from the lights, cameras and action to chat about his biggest indulgences, breaking the law and what he gets up to in Vegas… Your last film was The Wolfman – what makes you lose your temper?

OK! was whisked away to Barcelona to film the heist scene with Benicio del Toro

The phone - when it doesn’t stop ringing. I try to escape sometimes. I turn it off a lot! And also when people are rude, people lying - not little white lies, but lies that hurt people.You played Che Guevera in Che, who brought about change – what is the biggest change you have made in your life? As I roll into my forties I’m making an effort to work out. That’s not something I really did before, I did if it was for a script. I’m beginning to feel better for it too – the endorphins start to shoot around. It’s interesting because for the first twenty minutes you’re thinking ‘I don’t like working out – this is hell.’ Then the next twenty minutes you survive, and the last twenty minutes or so you’re in pain! But afterwards you feel really good. You memory gets better, and it’s like an organic high.

Marcia gets her make-up done before heading out to film with Benicio del Toro

You were in the film Sin City, what do you do when you go to Vegas? I go to the pet shops. I bought two tortoises there one time and called them Pete and Re-Pete!You won an Oscar for playing a policeman in Traffic – have you ever broken the law? Yes, I’ve been on the phone and driving… texting and driving... That’s really stupid though. I got caught as well, so never again. Brad Pitt said he took inspiration from you in The Usual Suspects for his role in Snatch – have you ever taken inspiration from anyone in this way?

Benicio del Toro recently starred with Emily Blunt in The Wolfman

Yes actually, I took inspiration from Dustin Hoffman who played Mumbles in Dick Tracy for my character in The Usual Suspects. I’ve only told Dustin before, and now I’m telling you! You’re the new face of Magnum Gold?! ice cream, do you have a sweet tooth? Yeah, I like chocolate. I go through phases - sometimes I go after a particular type of chocolate, sometimes a particular kind of cookie I like and get addicted to it.What’s your biggest indulgence? Music is a big indulgence, and probably food too. I’ve noticed if I’m hungry my attention span changes, so food is good.

Benicio del Toro is the new face of Magnum Gold?! ice cream

Do you have a signature dish that you make? Eggs. Fried eggs. People always say eggs when they don’t know how to cook! But do they say fried eggs? I make them with fried tomatoes and they’re really good! Watch OK!'s Marcia acting with Benicio del Toro above! New Magnum Gold?! boasts Madagascan vanilla ice cream with delicious caramel, coated with golden dipped milk chocolate. Visitwww.mymagnum.co.uk. __BREAK6__ By Marcia Moody